Sunday, December 31, 2006

Typically people write down their New Year's resolutions around this time of the year - they plan to lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier, etc., etc. This year we haven't discussed if we are going to go through all the jumble of doing that and actually writing down our goals - if we did, it would be a first for us. However, we have set the ball in motion for the two of us to be a bit more organized as we step into the new year.

We have spent the past few days purchasing various shelving units and putting them up in the garage, the laundry room and the master bath. Actually - Julie was more of an assistant when it comes to putting them up, Justin did most of the work.

For the first time since we moved into our house we feel that the garage and laundry room have a bit of order to them. It is nice to not just have things piled up in a mess wherever in those areas. I guess one of our resolutions is to keep them that way.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Well, we can't see you online necessarily. But, if decide to drop by our house...we will be able to tell it is you before we open the door. Over the weekend, I installed a peephole in our front door. It actually went fairly quickly, only about five minutes in all.

That was after we had all the right tools/equipment. I originally found a peephole online, via ebay. That was a mistake, as I did not really look at the dimensions of the peephole. The one I bid on was HUGE! Luckily I was outbid, and didn't have to pay for it and then try to resell it.

We ended up going to Home Depot. We asked one of the employees where to find their peepholes. He gave us a quizzical look. And then we realized that he thought we said "Where can we find your peoples?". So, Julie then asked where we could find a peep-hole for our door. He then registered what we were looking for and directed us to the right aisle. We decided on one that gives us a great view, but was still very small. In looking at their options, we came across the same model that I bid on from ebay. Yeah, very lucky that we were outbid...as it was not only big, but uglier than it seemed online.

We also had to buy a 9/16 spade drill bit for the installation of the peephole. Let me just say that it is a strange and sort of scary looking tool. It did get the job done though. And now, we have a bit more security in answering the door.

If you don't have one in your door, and don't have any other way of seeing who is at your door, without letting anyone know you are home, I would highly recommend installing one.

Saturday, December 16, 2006

We received this poem from some dear friends, the Mardis' in Beavercreek, OH. As Julie made our Christmas cards with rubber stamps, Diane thought she would enjoy this (which she did, very much):

The Week Before Christmas (in a Stamper's House)'T was the week before Christmas and the house was a hushSavethe stamping of rubber in a last-minute rush.The cardstock was cut with precision and careIn hopes that a greeting would soon be stamped there.

The children were tucked in their beds around eight,But now it's ten-thirty...How'd it get so late?And I in my PJs with bleary red eyesHad finally arranged all the stamping supplies.

It started out simple. (It does every year.)Just make a few cards for friends who are dear.I pressed ink to paper. (It looked crisp and clean.)A sprinkle of powder, heat to a sheen.

When what on my green Christmas card should appear?Why, a tiny gold Santa with sleigh and reindeerOn pigment! On powder! On heat from a gun!Now ribbon and glitter! Can I make eighty-one?

"I can do it!" I said with all of my mightAnd looked at the clock -- 'twas well past midnight.I went straight to stamping out card after card"This might take all night, but at least it's not hard."

But after I finished, they looked a bit lame.I didn't want fancy, but these were too plain.And then in a twinkling, a thought came to mind:"I'll dress them up, and then they'll be fine."

So I went to my craft room and looked all around,Then back to the table with all that I'd found.My Fiskars I brandished (I wasn't a quitter),And soon I was covered in EP and glitter.

The cap of a marker I held in my teeth.I'd lay in some color or maybe gold leaf.My broad little face was all beaded with sweat,But I wouldn't give up -- well, not at least yet.

There was glue on the table and ink on the floor.I laughed at the site, though my fingers were sore.I did not complain, just kept up my work.When more things went wrong, I did not go berserk.

When finally finished, one card about six,It looked pretty good after all of my tricks."I'm keeping this one. My work on it shows."So clutching my card, up the stairs I arose.

I crawled into bed at the crack of dawn.Creativity all spent, motivation gone.But to make no mistake, I promise one thing:You'll all get your cards, but not till next spring!